Best Neighborhoods in Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence's downtown Mass Street gives the city a commercial heart that feels closely tied to the University of Kansas. East Lawrence has an older residential character and a creative identity of its own. West Lawrence brings a more suburban pattern into the decision.

Near downtown and campus, game days can change the traffic picture quickly. Older East Lawrence houses need careful inspection. Farther west, the tradeoff may be more space in exchange for driving to the places that first made Lawrence appealing.

Downtown

Young Professionals

As with most cities Downtown is the starting point for young professionals looking for a place to live. First of all it is one of the most beautiful historic districts in the country with most of the original buildings preserved and converted into cool loft and condo living. That means you can walk to the thriving local social scene on Mass St. and even walk to work if you should be so lucky to have your office downtown.

  • Downtown

East Lawrence

DINKs/SINKs

Lawrence is one of many cities in the U.S. that is divided into geographical sections. East Lawrence is a good choice if you’re young-ish and looking to have one foot in a social scene and one foot in a slightly more mature setting. The are is the center of the Arts Scene with plenty of yard art, murals and the Warehouse Arts District, which is filled with boutique restaurants, art galleries and some of the startup scene. The housing options here are also cool with Victorians, bungalows, cottages and an emerging new green building scene.

  • East Lawrence

West Lawrence

Families

West Lawrence is the elegant historic district of Lawrence. Filled with elegantl period homes, brick streets and tall beautiful tree-lined blocks it is the place to be for families looking to be relatively close to Downtown but also feel like you’re big homes, parks and room to roam for the kiddos.

  • West Lawrence